Incidence of mycoflora and mycotoxins in some edible fruits and seeds of forest origin

Twelve fungi namelyAlternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A niger, A ochraceus, Actinomucor repens, Capnodoium spp., Curvularia lunata, Fusarium pallidoroseum, F solani, F verticillioides, Penicillium citrinum and Rhizopus stolonifer were recorded from samples ofAegle marmelos, Aesculus indica, Buchanania lanzan andPinus gerardiana. In case ofPrunus amygdalus only Rstolonifer was recorded. A significant variation in pattern of mycoflora incidence was observed in terms of source and season. Fungal infestation in most of the substrates was found to be highest during monsoon. Aflatoxins were the most common mycotoxins elaborated by different isolates ofA flavus obtained fromA marmelos, B lanzan andP gerardiana. The amount of aflatoxins produced by the toxigenic isolates ofA flavus was in the range of traces to 0.9–26.0 μg/ml inA marmelos, 0.8–17.5 μg/ml inP gerardiana and 0.65–13.2 μg/ml inB lanzan. The percentage toxigenicity was comparatively lower in the isolates of other mycotoxigenic fungi. Aflatoxins were detected almost in all the samples analyzed for mycotoxin contamination. However, traces of zearalenone were detected inA marmelos. The concentration of aflatoxin B₁ was in the range of 0.13–0.75 μg/g inA marmelos, 0.09–0.60 μg/g inP gerardiana and 0.01–0.20 ug/g inB lanzan. Mycotoxins were not detected inAesculus indica andPrunus amygdalus.     

Interdependence of flow between lobes reduces maximal emptying postresection in dogs.

The effect of pulmonary resection on the maximal emptying of the remaining lobes was examined in an open-chest preparation in normal canine lungs and in a unilobar papain emphysema model. The objectives were to determine whether, compared with when both lungs were deflated (BL), maximal emptying of the normal lower lobes or the emphysematous right lower lobe would be altered 1) when acute pneumonectomy of the contralateral lung was performed (OL) and 2) when the lower lobe deflated alone (LA). The alveolar capsule technique was used to measure alveolar pressures (Palv) at 75, 50, and 30% lobar vital capacity (VC). During forced deflation, the maximal rates of deflation (dPalv/dt) and flows (lobarV(max)) of the lower lobes were determined under the three different conditions. The Pitot-static tube technique was used to measure intrabronchial pressures and to estimate bronchial area and compliance in which values were obtained at the same central airway during the conditions studied. The results showed that, compared with BL and OL, dPalv/dt and lobar V(max) decreased during LA (P < 0.05). These findings were due to a reduction in bronchial area during LA that limited flow at a lower maximal value compared with BL. This decrease in area appeared to be due to a change in bronchial pressure area behavior that resulted in a smaller bronchial area during LA for similar transmural pressures between conditions. There were no differences in findings between normal and emphysematous lobes. This study suggested that removal of lobes may alter the pressure area behavior of central airways. Possible mechanisms considered were differences in axial tension between conditions, negative effort dependence, or parenchymal-bronchial interdependence that may be relevant to understanding the dynamic collapsibility of central as well as intraparenchymal airways.     

BAG-1 family of cochaperones in the modulation of nuclear receptor action

BAG-1 is a family of cochaperones consisting of at least four polypeptides BAG-1L, BAG-1M/RAP46, BAG-1 and p29. These proteins are translated from the same mRNA at alternative translation initiation sites. They possess conserved carboxy-terminal sequences which enable them to bind and inhibit the action of the molecular chaperone Hsp70/Hsc70. BAG-1 was the first member in the family of the BAG-1 proteins to be isolated. It was identified as an anti-apoptotic protein because of its ability to bind and augment the activity of the anti-death protein, Bcl-2. Since then other BAG-1 proteins have been identified and shown to interact with several cellular factors including nuclear receptors. Recent findings show that the effect of the BAG-1 proteins on nuclear receptors ranges from inhibition to enhancement of the transactivation functions of the receptors. Available data on the negative regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) action by the BAG-1 proteins identify two modes of action: inhibition of the hormone binding activity of the GR and a more direct nuclear action at the level of regulation of the transactivation function of the receptor. In the latter case, the BAG-1 proteins repress DNA binding by the GR in a process that requires prior binding of Hsp70/Hsc70 to the receptor. Positive regulatory action of the BAG-1 proteins on nuclear receptors has also been reported which may involve yet other mechanisms. This review puts together recent findings on the action the BAG-1 proteins and presents them as a novel group of regulators of action of nuclear receptor.